Battery defeated by Orlando Saturday night

2014-06-01T02:35:35Z2014-06-28T04:03:18Z

ORLANDO, FL -

The Charleston Battery lost to Orlando City SC by a score of two goals to nil Saturday night at the Disney Wide World of Sports Stadium in front of 4,987. Corey Hertzog and Kevin Molino scored a goal in each half to lift the home side to victory.

With the loss Charleston (3-5-4, 13 points) remain in seventh position in the ULS PRO standings. Orlando (9-0-2) continues its unbeaten start to the season and stays in first position.

The first chance of the game fell to the Battery in the 12th minute after midfielder Quinton Griffith squared the ball to Zach Prince at the edge of the box. Prince cut the ball onto his right foot for the shot but his effort was saved by Orlando goalkeeper Miguel Gallardo.

Charleston threatened again three minutes later after Griffith managed to squeeze inside the full-back and then pushed the ball to the right of defender Brad Rusin. Griffith got the shot away but Gallardo reacted well and made a diving save.

Charleston continued to push forward and came close on the half hour mark with Zach Prince creating some space at the edge of the box. Prince made room for a strike but drilled his effort wide of the left post.

The opening goal came in the 42nd minute after Orlando won a corner on the far side. The ball was sent in deep and the Battery headed it clear but couldn't prevent it from being flicked back into the box. Hertzog was first to react and slipped a header into the bottom right corner to give Orlando the lead.

Charleston mounted a determined response after half time and for twenty-five minutes piled the pressure on Orlando City. The best chance came in the 54th minute with striker Mamadou Diouf getting past Rusin and into the box. Diouf managed to get a shot away but the ball deflected off the post and behind for a goal-kick.

Quinton Griffith had a free-kick saved in the 64th minute as the Charleston continued to look for an equalizer and then Diouf headed over the bar minutes later from close range after a great cross by Andre Lewis.

Orlando put the game away in the 76th minute with a second goal after Charleston goalkeeper Odisnel Cooper miskicked a clearance straight to the Orlando forward. The ball was squared quickly to Molino who fired home from close range.

The Battery have a bye week next weekend and return to USL PRO action at Blackbaud Stadium, Daniel Island on Saturday, June 14 versus LA Galaxy.